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Saturday, February 03, 2007

If you haven't been following the case of four Marines accused of murder in Haditha, Iraq, the vicissitudes of the pre-trial process will amaze you. First, the government's star witness was convicted of theft when, last year, he stole a vehicle and crashed it in his home town. Now the same star witness, according to one news story, is facing charges of rape at Camp Pendleton. Additionally, someone within DoD leaked part of the investigative file on the Haditha killings and defense attorneys are raising a stink. The CG of 1 MEF, Lt. Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis, has ordered an investigation into the leak.

1 comment:

No Man
said...

Can anyone confirm a news report that said the lead accused in the case, Sergeant Wuterich, was promoted to Staff Sergeant after the charges were preferred? That is comedy. I know Sgt. Wuterich is innocent until proven guilty, but officer promotions are routinely delayed for years pending administrative or other investigations--long before any finding of guilt. And the Marine Corps is certainly sending an interesting message by promoting this Sergeant. Who am I to question such decisions, so I won't.